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 TM
Valentine's Day in the Windy City
By Tracey Teo
 If
you are planning to surprise that special someone with a romantic Valentine's
Day getaway, consider a trip to the windy city. First class dining, romantic
hotels and an exciting nightlife are as ubiquitous as the twinkling lights along
Lake Michigan. After checking out a number of special Valentine's Day packages
and activities, here's what I found to be the most enticing.
The Fairmont Hotel-Romantic Escape to the City
If The Fairmont Hotel's Romantic Escape to the City package
doesn't get you in the mood for love, nothing will. This sensual getaway
includes all the ingredients required for an evening of passion.
Romantic views of Lake Michigan are plentiful from the
Fairmont, as are all the things to do and see in the area. Take a short walk
down to the city's landmark Water Tower and catch a horse and carriage ride.
Seeing Chicago at a leisurely pace will give you plenty of time to snuggle with
your Valentine under a big, warm blanket.
Food and romance have been linked since Marc Antony fed
grapes to Cleopatra, and dining at the Fairmont 's Aria Restaurant and Bar is as
romantic as it gets. Chic and trendy, the restaurant serves traditional American
fare infused with unexpected global flavors. Each dish is served with such
spectacular presentation that it is almost a work of art. It may be tempting
to fill up on the complimentary hot naan bread or the assortment of scrumptious
spuds on the "potato board," but don't do it, because this is one place you
don't want to miss dessert.
Chocolate has been thought of as an aphrodisiac for
centuries, and Aria has one of the most tantalizing chocolate concoctions
imaginable. Three desserts in one, Aria's chocolate masterpiece, called
chocolate spectrums, allows you to savor light, medium and dark chocolate all on
one chocolate drenched plate.
Speaking of aphrodisiacs, Valentine's Day guests will take
home a complimentary copy of "The New Inter Courses: an Aphrodisiac Cookbook."
While it does give a whole new meaning to the term "comfort food," this isn't a
cookbook you will find in your mother's kitchen. Whether you believe in the
amorous powers of these "love potions" or not, you and your partner will delight
in trying out recipes like curried oysters in chardonnay and chocolate-almond
truffles.
Also included in the package is a Kama Sutra turndown. I
don't want to give it away, but let's just say guests discover some festive
Valentine's Day "party favors" on their pillow.
The pampering continues the following day with breakfast in
bed. You can savor a second cup of coffee without stressing about check-out
time, because this special getaway allows you to check out at your leisure.
Amore at The Amalfi
For a different kind of romantic experience, enjoy a
weekend of luxurious relaxation with Amore at the Amalfi, a Valentine's Day
package complete with sparkling Italian wine and champagne truffles. A boutique
hotel in the heart of Chicago's oh-so-posh North River District, The Amalfi is
two blocks from world-class shopping on the Magnificent Mile and just a short
walk from the Theater District.
As you enter the lobby with its bold, contemporary design,
you are greeted by an "experience designer," a kind of super concierge that will
do everything possible to make sure your stay is exactly the kind of vacation
you had in mind.
If you will be popping the question this Valentine's Day,
an advance conference with an experience designer will ensure that the champagne
is chilling, the ring is ready and everything is taken care of down to the last
detail to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Odyssey Cruise
What could be more romantic than cruising down Lake
Michigan by moonlight while enjoying one of the most amazing panoramic views in
America? Chicago is famous for its spectacular skyline, and there is no better
vantage point to appreciate it than from the observation deck of the Odyssey.
Add a complimentary glass of champagne to that picture, and a dance under the
stars, and you are guaranteed a Valentine's Day like no other.
So for an evening more memorable than one spent in a
restaurant, wine and dine your sweetheart on a romantic dinner cruise. Upscale
American cuisine is served in an intimate atmosphere filled with possibilities.
The three course meal begins with an elegant trio of appetizers that includes a
tomato crisp filled with lox mousse and caviar. For the first course, diners
have a choice of duck confit, salad, crab chowder or lobster cobbler. Deciding
on an entrée requires serious consideration. North Atlantic Salmon served over
Cajun couscous, Seafood Ravioli Gratinee, and syrah-braised short ribs served
with white truffle mashed potatoes are just a few of the tempting selections. A
visit to the dessert table, complete with the Odyssey's signature chocolate
fountain, is a sweet coda to a magnificent meal.
Photo provided by the Amalfi Hotel
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